Col. David Swann - Vice President / Trustee

I was born in Manchester but from an early age moved around the country – school in Cumbria, university in London – and the world during a full career in the British Army before retiring last year.

My military career was spent with The Queen’s Royal Hussars, the early years of which were largely in Germany in the days of the Cold War and I saw active service with the UN in Cyprus, in Beirut and the first Gulf War. I commanded my regiment, based in Germany 2000-2002, and led it through a six month deployment to Kosovo. Shortly after command I was promoted to Colonel and undertook two assignments in Dorset and my final military appointment was as the Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Kabul 2012-2014. Following retirement from the Army I became the Chambers Director for a barristers’ set based in the Temple, London.

Whilst serving as the Commander of the Armour Centre and Bovington Garrison I became a Trustee of the Dorset Youth Association; and for a short period chaired the Executive Committee. Despite having known the county for many years, and marrying a Dorset girl, I had no idea of the isolation and hardships that can be faced by too many young people across the county. I fully endorse the DYA’s aims and feel privileged to play a part in the charity’s governance.

Latest

We have successfully secured funding through the Royal British Legion to enable us to deliver free of charge, the highly evidenced Strengthening Families Programme to families connected with local service bases, both currently serving and veterans, and those families within the local community of the service base, to help build relationships during times of extreme pressure and to ease some of the difficulties that can be faced due to the transient nature some families can face.

We have successfully secured funding through the Royal British Legion to enable us to deliver free of charge, the highly evidenced Strengthening Families Programme to families connected with local service bases, both currently serving and veterans, and those families within the local community of the service base, to help build relationships during times of extreme pressure and to ease some of the difficulties that can be faced due to the transient nature some families can face.